Display device having bendable area

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a display panel having a first area, a second area, and a bendable area between the first area and the second area, wherein the bendable area is bent so that the second area is disposed below the first area, a driving integrated circuit (IC) disposed below the second area, a window disposed on the first area, and a window protection layer disposed on the window, wherein, one side of the window protection layer and one side of the window are spaced apart from a first boundary between the first area and the bendable area in a horizontal direction, and the one side of the window protection layer and the one side of the window are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/103,788 filed on Nov. 24, 2020, which claims priority from and thebenefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0018451, filed on Feb.14, 2020, and 10-2020-0026758, filed on Mar. 3, 2020, each of whichhereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forthherein

BACKGROUND Field

Illustrative embodiments of the invention relate generally to a displaydevice.

Discussion of the Background

Display devices such as monitors, iPads, smart phones, tablet PCs, andthe like that provide images to users include display panels thatdisplay images. Various display panels such as liquid crystal displaypanels, organic light emitting display panels, electro wetting displaypanels, and electrophoretic display panels are being developed as thedisplay panel.

Recently, a display device including a flexible display panel has beendeveloped with the development of display devices. The display panelincludes a plurality of pixels displaying an image and a driving chipfor driving the pixels. The pixels are disposed on a display area of thedisplay panel, and the driving chip is disposed on a non-display area ofthe display panel, which surrounds the display area. A bendable part isdefined between the driving chip and the display area, and the bendablepart is bent so that the driving chip is disposed under the displaypanel.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forunderstanding of the background of the inventive concepts, and,therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute priorart.

SUMMARY

Display devices constructed according to the principles and illustrativeembodiments of the invention are capable of optimizing a stackedstructure of a portion adjacent to a bendable area.

Additional features of the invention will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts.

According to one aspect of the invention, a display device includes adisplay panel having a first area, a second area, and a bendable areabetween the first and second areas, wherein the bendable area is bent sothat the second area is disposed below the first area; a driving ICdisposed below the second area; a window disposed on the first area; awindow protection layer disposed on the window; and a first panelprotection layer disposed below the first area, wherein, when viewed ona plane, one side of the window protection layer and one side of thewindow are spaced apart from a first boundary between the first area andthe bendable area, and the one side of the window protection layer isdisposed between the first boundary ad the one side of the window.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include: an impactabsorption layer disposed between the window and the first area; and ananti-reflection layer disposed between the impact absorption layer andthe first area, wherein, when viewed in plan, one side of the impactabsorption layer may overlap the one side of the window, and one side ofthe anti-reflection layer may be further spaced apart from the firstboundary than the one side of the impact absorption layer.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include: a firstcoating layer applied on a top surface of the window protection layer;and a second coating layer applied on a bottom surface of the impactabsorption layer.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include: a firstadhesion layer disposed between the window protection layer and thewindow; a second adhesion layer disposed between the window and theimpact absorption layer; a third adhesion layer disposed between theimpact absorption layer and the anti-reflection layer; and a fourthadhesion layer disposed between the anti-reflection layer and the firstarea.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the first adhesionlayer overlaps the one side of the window protection layer, one side ofthe second adhesion layer may be disposed between the one side of thewindow and the one side of the anti-reflection layer, one side of thethird adhesion layer may be further spaced apart from the first boundarythan the one side of the anti-reflection layer, and one side of thefourth adhesion layer may overlap the one side of the anti-reflectionlayer.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a protectionlayer spaced apart from the anti-reflection layer and disposed betweenthe impact absorption layer and the first area to extend the bendablearea and a portion of the second area, which is adjacent to the bendablearea.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include: a first stepcompensation layer disposed between the protection layer and the drivingIC; and a second step compensation layer disposed below the first stepcompensation layer to extend below a portion of the protection layer,which is adjacent to the first step compensation layer, wherein thesecond step compensation layer may be spaced apart from a secondboundary between the bendable area and the second area.

In an embodiment, the first step compensation layer may have the samethickness as the protection layer in a direction perpendicular to aplane of the first area.

In an embodiment, the sum of thicknesses of the first and second stepcompensation layers may be the same as that of the driving IC in adirection perpendicular to a plane of the first area.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include: a firstinsulation tape disposed below the second step compensation layer toextend below the driving IC; a conductive layer disposed below the firstinsulation tape; and a second insulation tape disposed below theconductive layer.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the second stepcompensation layer, which is adjacent to the second boundary, one sideof the first insulation tape, which is adjacent to the second boundary,and one side of the conductive layer, which is adjacent to the secondboundary, may be spaced apart from the second boundary to overlap eachother.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a second panelprotection layer disposed between the first panel protection layer andfurther spaced apart from the second boundary than the first panelprotection layer, wherein, when viewed in plan, the one side of thesecond step compensation layer may overlap one side of the second panelprotection layer.

In an embodiment, the second insulation tape may not overlap a portionof the conductive layer, which is adjacent to the one side of theconductive layer.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the first panelprotection layer may be disposed between the first boundary and the oneside of the window protection layer.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a cover layerdisposed between the first panel protection layer and the second areaand spaced apart from the bendable area.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the cover layer maybe further spaced apart from the first boundary than the one side of thefirst panel protection layer.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, the one side of the windowprotection layer may overlap the one side of the first panel protectionlayer, and one side of the window may be disposed between the one sideof the window protection layer and the one side of the cover layer.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, the one side of the cover layermay be disposed between the one side of the window protection layer andthe onside of the window.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the cover layer mayoverlap the one side of the first panel protection layer.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include: a platedisposed between the cover layer and the second area; a spacer disposedbetween the plate and the second area; and a second panel protectionlayer disposed between the spacer and the second area.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the plate and oneside of the spacer may overlap one side of the cover layer.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the second panelprotection layer may be further spaced apart from the first boundarythan the one side of the first panel protection layer, and one side ofthe cover layer may overlap the one side of the second panel protectionlayer.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the second panelprotection layer may be further spaced apart from the first boundarythan the one side of the first panel protection layer, and one side ofthe cover layer may be disposed between the one side of the first panelprotection layer and the one side of the second panel protection layer.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the second panelprotection layer may be disposed between the one side of the first panelprotection layer and one side of the cover layer.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a fifthadhesion layer disposed between the first area and the first panelprotection layer, wherein the cover layer may include: a barrier layerdisposed below the first panel protection layer; a cushion layerdisposed below the barrier layer; a sixth adhesion layer disposedbetween the first panel protection layer and the barrier layer; and aseventh adhesion layer disposed between the cushion layer and the plate,wherein one side of the fifth adhesion layer may overlap the one side ofthe first panel protection layer, one side of the barrier layer, oneside of the cushion layer, one side of the sixth adhesion layer, and oneside of the seventh adhesion layer may overlap each other, and thecushion layer may be disposed directly on a bottom surface of thebarrier layer.

According to another aspect of the invention, a display device includesa display panel having a first area, a second area, and a bendable areabetween the first area and the second area, wherein the bendable area isbent so that the second area is disposed below the first area. a drivingintegrated circuit (IC) disposed below the second area, a windowdisposed on the first area, and a window protection layer disposed onthe window, wherein, one side of the window protection layer and oneside of the window are spaced apart from a first boundary between thefirst area and the bendable area in a horizontal direction, and the oneside of the window protection layer and the one side of the window arespaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a first panelprotection layer disposed below the first area, an impact absorptionlayer disposed between the window and the first area, and ananti-reflection layer disposed between the impact absorption layer andthe first area, wherein the one side of the window protection layerprotrudes closer to the first boundary than the one side of the windowin the horizontal direction, when viewed in plan, one side of the impactabsorption layer overlaps with the one side of the window, and one sideof the anti-reflection layer is further spaced apart from the firstboundary than the one side of the impact absorption layer.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a first coatinglayer applied on a top surface of the window protection layer, and asecond coating layer applied on a bottom surface of the impactabsorption layer.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a firstadhesion layer disposed between the window protection layer and thewindow, a second adhesion layer disposed between the window and theimpact absorption layer, a third adhesion layer disposed between theimpact absorption layer and the anti-reflection layer, and a fourthadhesion layer disposed between the anti-reflection layer and the firstarea.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the first adhesionlayer may overlap with the one side of the window protection layer, oneside of the second adhesion layer may be disposed between the one sideof the window and the one side of the anti-reflection layer, one side ofthe third adhesion layer may be further spaced apart from the firstboundary than the one side of the anti-reflection layer, and one side ofthe fourth adhesion layer may overlap with the one side of theanti-reflection layer.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a protectionlayer spaced apart from the anti-reflection layer and disposed betweenthe impact absorption layer and the first area and extending to thebendable area and a portion of the second area, which is adjacent to thebendable area.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a first stepcompensation layer disposed between the protection layer and the drivingIC; and a second step compensation layer disposed below the first stepcompensation layer to extend below a portion of the protection layer,which is adjacent to the first step compensation layer, wherein thesecond step compensation layer is spaced apart from a second boundarybetween the bendable area and the second area.

In an embodiment, the first step compensation layer may have the samethickness as the protection layer in a direction perpendicular to aplane of the first area.

In an embodiment, the sum of thicknesses of the first and second stepcompensation layers may be the same as that of the driving IC in adirection perpendicular to a plane of the first area.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a firstinsulation tape disposed below the second step compensation layer toextend below the driving IC, a conductive layer disposed below the firstinsulation tape and a second insulation tape disposed below theconductive layer.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the second stepcompensation layer, which is adjacent to the second boundary, one sideof the first insulation tape, which is adjacent to the second boundary,and one side of the conductive layer, which is adjacent to the secondboundary, may be spaced apart from the second boundary to overlap witheach other.

In an embodiment, the second insulation tape may not overlap with aportion of the conductive layer, which is adjacent to the one side ofthe conductive layer.

In an embodiment, one side of the first panel protection layer mayprotrude closer to the first boundary than the one side of the windowprotection layer in the horizontal direction.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a cover layerdisposed between the first panel protection layer and the second areaand spaced apart from the bendable area.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the cover layer maybe further spaced apart from the first boundary than the one side of thefirst panel protection layer.

In an embodiment, one side of the cover layer may protrude closer to theone side of window protection layer than the one side of the window inthe horizontal direction.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a platedisposed between the cover layer and the second area, a spacer disposedbetween the plate and the second area, and a second panel protectionlayer disposed between the spacer and the second area.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the plate and oneside of the spacer may overlap with one side of the cover layer.

In an embodiment, when viewed in plan, one side of the second panelprotection layer may be disposed between the one side of the first panelprotection layer and one side of the cover layer.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include a fifthadhesion layer disposed between the first area and the first panelprotection layer, wherein the cover layer includes a barrier layerdisposed below the first panel protection layer, a cushion layerdisposed below the barrier layer, a sixth adhesion layer disposedbetween the first panel protection layer and the barrier layer, and aseventh adhesion layer disposed between the cushion layer and the plate,wherein one side of the fifth adhesion layer overlaps with the one sideof the first panel protection layer, one side of the barrier layer, oneside of the cushion layer, one side of the sixth adhesion layer, and oneside of the seventh adhesion layer overlap with each other, and thecushion layer is disposed directly on a bottom surface of the barrierlayer.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a display deviceincludes a display panel having a first area, a second area, and abendable area between the first area and the second area, wherein thebendable area is bent so that the second area is disposed below thefirst area, a driving integrated circuit (IC) disposed below the secondarea, a window disposed on the first area, a window protection layerdisposed on the window, and a first panel protection layer disposedbelow the first area, wherein, one side of the window protection layerand one side of the window are spaced apart from a first boundarybetween the first area and the bendable area in a horizontal direction,and one side of the first panel protection layer protrudes closer to thefirst boundary than the one side of the window protection layer in thehorizontal direction.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are illustrative and explanatory andare intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the inventive concepts, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateillustrative embodiments of the invention and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the invention. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a folded state of the display device ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a folded state of the display device ofFIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the display device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is an exemplarily cross-sectional view illustrating a displaymodule of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an in-folded state of the display deviceof FIG. 6 .

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-IF of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a folded state of the bendable area ofFIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a folded state of a comparative displaydevice.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a rear surface of the display deviceadjacent to the bendable area of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a configuration of a display deviceaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 are views illustrating configurations of coverlayers of display devices according to another embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a configuration of a display deviceaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various illustrative embodiments or implementations ofthe invention. As used herein “embodiments” and “implementations” areinterchangeable words that are non-limiting examples of devices ormethods employing one or more of the inventive concepts disclosedherein. It is apparent, however, that various illustrative embodimentsmay be practiced without these specific details or with one or moreequivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring various illustrative embodiments. Further, variousillustrative embodiments may be different, but do not have to beexclusive. For example, specific shapes, configurations, andcharacteristics of an illustrative embodiment may be used or implementedin another illustrative embodiment without departing from the inventiveconcepts.

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated embodiments are to beunderstood as providing illustrative features of varying detail of someways in which the inventive concepts may be implemented in practice.Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components,modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and/or aspects, etc.(hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as “elements”), ofthe various embodiments may be otherwise combined, separated,interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventiveconcepts.

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the accompanying drawings isgenerally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. Assuch, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shadingconveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particularmaterials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalitiesbetween illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic,attribute, property, etc., of the elements, unless specified. Further,in the accompanying drawings, the size and relative sizes of elementsmay be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. When anillustrative embodiment may be implemented differently, a specificprocess order may be performed differently from the described order. Forexample, two consecutively described processes may be performedsubstantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to thedescribed order. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element, such as a layer, is referred to as being “on,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer orintervening elements or layers may be present. When, however, an elementor layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. To this end, the term“connected” may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection,with or without intervening elements. Further, the D1-axis, the D2-axis,and the D3-axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangularcoordinate system, such as the x, y, and z-axes, and may be interpretedin a broader sense. For example, the D1-axis, the D2-axis, and theD3-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may represent differentdirections that are not perpendicular to one another. For the purposesof this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least oneselected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as Xonly, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z,such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein todescribe various types of elements, these elements should not be limitedby these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element fromanother element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed asecond element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “under,” “lower,”“above,” “upper,” “over,” “higher,” “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”), andthe like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, todescribe one elements relationship to another element(s) as illustratedin the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/ormanufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. Forexample, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would thenbe oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, theillustrative term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above andbelow. Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g.,rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terms “overlap” and “overlap with” may refer to one side of a layerlining up with another side of another layer along a plane. The terms“overlap” and “overlap with” may also have a meaning that one layerextends farther or shorter than another layer.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover,the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one ormore other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms“substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms, are used as terms ofapproximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such, are utilized toaccount for inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or providedvalues that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Various illustrative embodiments are described herein with reference tosectional and/or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrationsof idealized illustrative embodiments and/or intermediate structures. Assuch, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, illustrative embodiments disclosed herein should notnecessarily be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapesof regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from,for instance, manufacturing. In this manner, regions illustrated in thedrawings may be schematic in nature and the shapes of these regions maynot reflect actual shapes of regions of a device and, as such, are notnecessarily intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according toan embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a foldedstate of the display device of FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 1 , a display device DD according to an embodiment ofthe invention may have a rectangular shape with long sides in a firstdirection DR1 and short sides in a second direction DR2 crossing thefirst direction DR1. However, the embodiment of the invention is notlimited thereto. For example, the display device DD may have variousshapes such as a circular shape, a polygonal shape, and the like. Thedisplay device DD may be a flexible display device.

Hereinafter, a direction that substantially perpendicularly crosses aplane defined by the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 isdefined as a third direction DR3. Also, in this specification, the term“viewed from the plane” may be defined as a state when viewed in thethird direction DR3.

The display device DD may include a foldable area FA and a plurality ofnon-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2. The non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2may include a first non-foldable area NFA1 and a second non-foldablearea NFA2. The foldable area FA may be disposed between the firstnon-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2. Thefoldable area FA, the first non-foldable area NFA1, and the secondnon-foldable area NFA2 may be arranged in the first direction DR1.Foldable or non-foldable may refer to an ability of a designated regionto fold within the designated region, not whether a non-foldable region,for example, may fold in relation to another region.

Although one foldable area FA and two non-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2are illustrated, the embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto.For example, the number of foldable area FA and the number ofnon-foldable areas NFA1 and NFA2 are not limited thereto. For example,the display device DD may include a plurality of non-foldable areas thatare more than two non-foldable areas and a plurality of foldable areasbetween the non-foldable areas.

A top surface of the display device DD may be defined as a displaysurface DS and have a plane defined by the first direction DR1 and thesecond direction DR2. Images IM generated from the display device DD maybe provided to a user through the display surface DS.

The display surface DS may include a display area DA and a non-displayarea NDA around the display area DA. An image may be displayed on thedisplay area DA, but may not be displayed on the non-display area NDA.The non-display area NDA may surround the display area DA and define anedge of the display device DD, which is printed with a predeterminedcolor.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the display device DD may be a foldable-typedisplay device DD that is capable of being folded or unfolded. Forexample, the foldable area FA may be bent with respect to a folding axisFX parallel to the second direction DR2, and thus, the display device DDmay be folded. The folding axis may be defined as a short axis parallelto the short side of the display device DD.

When folding the display device DD, the first non-foldable area NFA1 andthe second non-foldable areas NFA2 may face each other, and the displaydevice DD may be in-folded, folded inwards, to prevent the displaysurface DS from being exposed to the outside.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the display device accordingto an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating thefolded state of the display device of FIG. 3 .

A display device DD_1 illustrated in FIG. 3 may have substantially thesame configuration as the display device DD illustrated in FIG. 1 ,except for a folding operation. Thus, the folding operation of thedisplay device DD_1 will be mainly described below.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the display device DD_1 may include afoldable area FA′ and a plurality of non-foldable areas NFA1′ and NFA2′.The non-foldable areas NFA1′ and NFA2′ may include a first non-foldablearea NFA1′ and a second non-foldable area NFA2′. The foldable area FA′may be disposed between the first non-foldable area NFA1′ and the secondnon-foldable area NFA2′. The foldable area FA′, the first non-foldablearea NFA1′, and the second non-foldable area NFA2′ may be arranged inthe second direction DR2.

The foldable area FA′ may be bent with respect to a folding axis FX′parallel to the first direction DR1 so that the display device DD_1 isfolded. The folding axis FX′ may be defined as a long axis parallel tothe long side of the display device DD_1. The display device DDillustrated in FIG. 1 may be folded with respect to a short axis. On theother hand, the display device DD_1 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be foldedwith respect to the long axis. The display device DD_1 may be in-foldedso that a display surface DS is not exposed to the outside.

Hereinafter, the display device DD that is in-folded with respect to thefoldable axis FX parallel to the short axis will be described as anexample.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the display device of FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , the display device DD may include a display panelDP, a scan driver SDV, a data driver DDV, and an emission driver EDV.

The display panel DP according to an embodiment of the invention may bean emission type display panel, but is not limited thereto. For example,the display panel DP may be an organic light emitting display panel or aquantum dot light emitting display panel. A light emitting layer of theorganic light emitting display panel may include an organic lightemitting material. A light emitting layer of the quantum dot lightemitting display panel may include a quantum dot, a quantum rod, and thelike. Hereinafter, the display panel DP is described as an organic lightemitting display panel.

The display panel DP may be a flexible display panel. For example, thedisplay panel DP may include a plurality of electronic elements disposedon a flexible substrate. The display panel DP may extend longer in thefirst direction DR1 than in the second direction DR2. The display panelDP may have a plane defined by the first and second directions DR1 andDR2.

The display panel DP may include a first area AA1, a second area AA2,and a bendable area BA disposed between the first area AA1 and thesecond area AA2. The bendable area BA extends in the second directionDR2, and the first area AA1, the bendable area BA, and the second areaAA2 may be arranged in the first direction DR1.

The first area AA1 may have long sides that extend in the firstdirection DR1 and are opposite to each other in the second directionDR2. A length of each of the bendable area BA and the second area AA2 inthe second direction DR2 may be less than that of the first area AA1.

The first area AA1 may include a display area DA and a non-display areaNDA around the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may surroundthe display area DA. An image may be displayed on the display area DAbut may not be displayed on the non-display area NDA. The second areaAA2 and the bendable area BA may be areas on which an image is notdisplayed.

When viewed in the second direction DR2, the first area AA1 may includea first non-foldable area NFA1, a second non-foldable area NFA2, and afoldable area FA disposed between the first non-foldable area NFA1 andthe second non-foldable area NFA2.

The display panel DP includes a plurality of pixels PX, a plurality ofscan lines SL1 to SLm, a plurality of data lines DL1 to DLn, a pluralityof emission lines EL1 to ELm, first and second control lines CSL1 andCSL2, a first power line PL1, a second power line PL2, connection linesCNL, and a plurality of pads PD. Here, m and n are natural numbers. Thepixels PX may be disposed on the display area DA and connected to thescan lines SL1 to SLm, the data lines DL1 to DLn, and the emission linesEL1 to ELm.

A scan driver SDV and an emission driver EDV may be disposed on thenon-display area NDA. The scan driver SDV and the emission driver EDVmay be disposed on the non-display area NDA that is adjacent to each ofthe long sides of the first area AA1. The data driver DDV may bedisposed on the second area AA2. The data driver DDV may be manufacturedin the form of an integrated circuit chip and mounted on the second areaAA2.

The scan lines SL1 to SLm may extend in the second direction DR2 and beconnected to the scan driver SDV. The data lines DL1 to DLn may extendin the first direction DR1 and be connected to the data driver DDV viathe bendable area BA. The emission lines EL1 to ELm may extend in thesecond direction DR2 and be connected to a gate driver EDV.

The first power line PL1 may extend in the first direction DR1 and bedisposed on the non-display area NDA. The first power line PL1 may bedisposed between the display area DA and the emission driver EDV.However, the embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, and thefirst power line PL1 may be disposed between the display area DA and thescan driver SDV.

The first power line PL1 may extend to the second area AA2 via thebendable area BA. The first power line PL1 may extend toward a lower endof the second area AA2 when viewed on a plane. The first power line PL1may receive a first voltage.

The second power line PL2 may be disposed on the non-display area NDAadjacent to the long sides of the first area AA1 and the non-displayarea NDA facing the second area AA2 with the display area DAtherebetween. The second power line PL2 may be disposed outside the scandriver SDV and the emission driver EDV.

The second power line PL2 may extend to the second area AA2 via thebendable area BA. The second power line PL2 may extend from the secondarea AA2 in the first direction DR1 with the data driver DDVtherebetween. The second area AA2 may extend toward the lower end of thesecond area AA2 when viewed in plan.

The second power line PL2 may receive a second voltage having a levelless than that of the first voltage. For convenience of description,although the connection relationship is not illustrated, the secondpower line PL2 may extend to the display area DA and be connected to thepixels PX, and the second voltage may be provided to the pixels PXthrough the second power line PL2.

The connection lines CNL may extend in the second direction DR2 and maybe arranged in the first direction DR1. The connection lines CNL may beconnected to the first power line PL1 and the pixels PX. The firstvoltage may be applied to the pixels PX through the first power line PL1and the connection lines CNL, which are connected to each other.

The first control line CSL1 may be connected to the scan driver SDV andextend toward the lower end of the second area AA2 via the bendable areaBA. The second control line CSL2 may be connected to the emission driverEDV and extend toward the lower end of the second area AA2 via thebendable area BA. The data driver DDV may be disposed between the firstcontrol line CSL1 and the second control line CSL2.

When viewed in plan, the pads PD may be disposed adjacent to the lowerend of the second area AA2. The data driver DDV, the first power linePL1, the second power line PL2, the first control line CSL1, and thesecond control line CSL2 may be connected to the pads PD.

The data lines DL1 to DLn may be connected to corresponding pads PDthrough the data driver DDV. For example, the data lines DL1 to DLn maybe connected to the data driver DDV, and the data drivers DDV may beconnected to the pads PD, which respectively correspond to the datalines DL1 to DLn.

Although not illustrated, the display device DD may include a printedcircuit board (hereinafter, illustrated in FIG. 12 ) connected to thepads PD and a timing controller (hereinafter, illustrated in FIG. 12 )disposed on the printed circuit board. The timing controller may bemanufactured as an integrated circuit chip and mounted on the printedcircuit board. The timing controller may be connected to the pads PDthrough the printed circuit board.

The timing controller may control operations of the scan driver SDV, thedata driver DDV, and the emission driver EDV. The timing controller maygenerate a scan control signal, a data control signal, and an emissioncontrol signal in response to control signals received from the outside.

The scan control signal may be provided to the scan driver SDV throughthe first control line CSL1. The emission control signal may be providedto the emission driver EDV through the second control line CSL2. Thedata control signal may be provided to the data driver DDV. The timingcontroller may receive image signals from the outside and convert a dataformat of the image signals to match an interface specification with thedata driver DDV and thus provide the converted data format to the datadriver DDV.

The scan driver SDV may generate a plurality of scan signals in responseto the scan control signal. The scan signals may be applied to thepixels PX through the scan lines SL1 to SLm. The scan signals may besequentially applied to the pixel PX.

The data driver DDV may generate a plurality of data voltagescorresponding to the image signals in response to the data controlsignal. The data voltages may be provided to the pixels PX through thedata lines DL1 to DLn. The emission driver EDV may generate a pluralityof emission signals in response to the emission control signal. Theemission signals may be applied to the pixels PX through the emissionlines EL1 to ELm.

The pixels PX may receive the data voltages in response to the scansignals. The pixels PX may emit light having luminance corresponding thedata voltages in response to the emission signals to display an image.An emission time of the pixels PX may be controlled by the emissionsignals.

Each of the pixels PX may include an organic light emitting element. Thefirst voltage may be applied to an anode electrode of the organic lightemitting element, and the second voltage may be applied to a cathodeelectrode of the organic light emitting element. The organic lightemitting element may operate by receiving the first voltage and thesecond voltage.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 5 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the display device DD includes a display panel DP,an anti-reflection layer RPL, an impact absorption layer ISL, a windowWIN, a window protection layer WP, a first coating layer CT1, a secondcoating layer CT2, a panel protection layer PPL, a cover layer CVL, aplate PLT, a sub cover layer SCV, a support SUP, a heat dissipationlayer RHL, an insulation layer INL, and first to eleventh adhesionlayers AL1 to AL11. A portion from the cover layer CVL to the firstcoating layer CT1 may be defined as a display module DM.

The anti-reflection layer RPL, the impact absorption layer ISL, thewindow WIN, the window protection layer WP, the first coating layer CT1,and the second coating layer CT2 may be disposed on the display panelDP. The panel protection layer PPL, the cover layer CVL, the plate PLT,the sub cover layer SCV, the support SUP, the heat dissipation layerRHL, and the insulation layer INL may be disposed under the displaypanel DP.

The anti-reflection layer RPL disposed on the display panel DP may bedefined as an external light anti-reflection film. The anti-reflectionlayer RPL may reduce reflectance of external light incident from thedisplay device DD onto the display panel DP. For example, theanti-reflection layer RPL may include a phase retarder and/or apolarizer.

The anti-reflection layer RPL may have a thickness greater than that ofthe display panel DP in the third direction DR3. For example, thedisplay panel DP may have a thickness of about 30 micrometers (μm), andthe anti-reflection layer RPL may have a thickness of about 31micrometers (μm).

The impact absorption layer ISL may be disposed on the anti-reflectionlayer RPL. The impact absorption layer ISL may absorb an external impactapplied from an upper side of the display device DD toward the displaypanel DP to protect the display panel DP. The impact absorption layerISL may be manufactured in the form of a stretched film.

The impact absorption layer ISL may include a flexible plastic material.The flexible plastic material may be defined as a synthetic resin film.For example, the impact absorption layer ISL may include a flexibleplastic material such as polyimide (PI) or polyethylene terephthalte(PET). The impact absorption layer ISL may have an elastic modulus ofabout 1 GPa or more. In an embodiment of the invention, the impactabsorption layer ISL may be omitted.

The impact absorption layer ISL may have a thickness greater than thatof the anti-reflection layer RPL in the third direction DR3. Forexample, the impact absorption layer ISL may have a thickness of about41 micrometers (μm).

The window WIN may be disposed on the impact absorption layer ISL. Thewindow WIN may protect the display panel DP and the anti-reflectionlayer RPL from external scratches. The window WIN may have opticallytransparent properties.

The window WIN may include glass. The window WIN may be defined asultra-thin glass (UTG). However, the embodiment of the invention is notlimited thereto, and the window WIN may include a synthetic resin film.

The window WIN may has a single layered structure or a multilayeredstructure. For example, the window WIN may include a plurality ofplastic films bonded to each other by using an adhesive or include aglass substrate and a plastic film, which are bonded to each other byusing an adhesive.

The window WIN may have a thickness less than that of each of the impactabsorption layer ISL and the anti-reflection layer RPL and have the samethickness as the display panel DP. For example, the window WIN may havea thickness of about 30 micrometers (μm).

The window protection layer WP may be disposed on the window WIN. Thefirst coating layer CT1 may be applied on a top surface of the windowprotection layer WP. The window protection layer WP and the firstcoating layer CT1 may protect the window WIN. The window protectionlayer WP may include a film having an elastic modulus of about 15 GPa orless at room temperature.

The window protection layer WP may include a flexible plastic materialsuch as polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate. The first coating layerCT1 may include a hard coating layer. However, the embodiment of theinvention is not limited thereto, and the first coating layer CT1 mayfurther include an anti-fingerprint layer or a scattering preventionlayer, which is defined as a functional layer.

The window protection layer WP may have a thickness greater than that ofthe impact absorption layer ISL in the third direction DR3. For example,the window protection layer WP may have a thickness of about 55micrometers (μm).

The second coating layer CT2 may be applied on a bottom surface of theimpact absorption layer ISL. The second coating layer CT2 may include ahard coating layer. The second coating layer CT2 may planarize thebottom surface of the impact absorption layer ISL, which may have acurved surface.

The first adhesion layer AL1 may be disposed between the windowprotection layer WP and the window WIN. The window protection layer WPand the window WIN may be bonded to each other by the first adhesionlayer AL1. The first adhesion layer AL1 may have a thickness less thanthat of the window WIN. For example, the first adhesion layer AL1 mayhave a thickness of about 25 micrometers (μm).

The second adhesion layer AL2 may be disposed between the window WIN andthe impact absorption layer ISL. The window WIN and the impactabsorption layer ISL may be bonded to each other by the second adhesionlayer AL2. The second adhesion layer AL2 may have a thickness greaterthan that of the window WIN and less than that of the impact absorptionlayer ISL. For example, the second adhesion layer AL2 may have athickness of about 35 micrometers (μm).

The third adhesion layer AL3 may be disposed between the impactabsorption layer ISL and the anti-reflection layer RPL. The impactabsorption layer ISL and the anti-reflection layer RPL may be bonded toeach other by the third adhesion layer AL3. Substantially, the thirdadhesion layer AL3 may adhere to the second coating layer CT2 applied onthe bottom surface of the impact absorption layer ISL. The thirdadhesion layer AL3 may have a thickness less than that of theanti-reflection layer RPL and have the same thickness as the firstadhesion layer AL1. For example, the third adhesion layer AL3 may have athickness of about 25 micrometers (μm).

The fourth adhesion layer AL4 may be disposed between theanti-reflection layer RPL and the display panel DP. The anti-reflectionlayer RPL and the display panel DP may be bonded to each other by thefourth adhesion layer AL4. The fourth adhesion layer AL4 may have athickness less than that of the display panel DP and have the samethickness as the first adhesion layer AL1. For example, the fourthadhesion layer AL4 may have a thickness of about micrometers (μm).

The first to fourth adhesion layers AL1 to AL4 may include a transparentadhesive such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) or an opticallyclear adhesive (OCA).

The panel protection layer PPL may be disposed under the display panelDP. The panel protection layer PPL may protect the lower portion of thedisplay panel DP. The panel protection layer PPL may include a flexibleplastic material. For example, the panel protection layer PPL mayinclude polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The panel protection layer PPL may have a thickness greater than that ofthe display panel DP in the third direction DR3. For example, the panelprotection layer PPL may have a thickness of about 50 micrometers (μm).

The cover layer CVL may be disposed under the panel protection layerPPL. The cover layer CVL may define a lower portion of the displaymodule DM. The cover layer CVL may absorb an external impact applied tothe lower portion of the display module DM. The cover layer CVL mayinclude a barrier layer BRL and a cushion layer CUL. The sixth adhesionlayer AL6 and the seventh adhesion layer AL7 may be defined asconstitutes of the cover layer CVL.

The barrier layer BRL may be disposed under the panel protection layerPPL. Resistance to compression force due to external pressing mayincrease by the barrier layer BRL. Accordingly, the barrier layer BRLmay serve to prevent deformation of the display panel DP from occurring.The barrier layer BRL may include a flexible plastic material such aspolyimide or polyethylene terephthalate.

The cushion layer CUL may be disposed under the barrier layer BRL. Thecushion layer CUL may be configured to absorb the external impactapplied to the lower portion of the display module DM to protect thedisplay panel DP. The cushion layer CUL may include a foam sheet havingpredetermined elastic force. The cushion layer CUL may include foam,sponge, polyurethane, or thermoplastic polyurethane. The cushion layerCUL may be directly formed on the bottom surface of the barrier layerBRL by using the barrier layer BRL as a base layer.

The barrier layer BRL may have a thickness greater than that of thedisplay panel DP and less than that of the panel protection layer PPL inthe third direction DR3. For example, the barrier layer BRL may have athickness of about 35 micrometers (μm). The cushion layer CUL may have athickness greater than that of the panel protection layer PPL. Forexample, the cushion layer CUL may have a thickness of about 100micrometers (μm).

At least one of the barrier layer BRL or the cushion layer CUL may havea color that is configured to absorb light. For example, at least one ofthe barrier layer BRL or the cushion layer CUL may have a black color.In this case, when the display device DD is viewed above, componentsdisposed under the cover layer CVL may not be seen.

The plate PLT may be disposed under the cover layer CVL (for example,the cushion layer CUL). The plate PLT may include a material having anelastic modulus of about 60 GPa or more. The plate PLT may include ametal material such as stainless steel. For example, the plate PLT mayinclude SUS 304, but is not limited thereto, and the plate PLT mayinclude various metal materials. The plate PLT may support the displaymodule DM. Also, heat dissipation performance of the display device DDmay be improved by the plate PLT.

When viewed in plan, a plurality of openings OP may be disposed in aportion of the plate PLT overlapping and extending a length of thefoldable area FA. The plurality of openings OP may extend from theseventh adhesion layer AL7 to the eighth adhesive layer ALB, butembodiments are not limited thereto. If the display panel DP includesdifferent configurations of adhesion and other layers surrounding theplate, the plurality of openings OP may be disposed within the plate PLTwithin those layers. A portion of the plate PLT overlapping the foldablearea FA may be easily deformed by the openings OP. The plate PLT mayhave a thickness greater than that of the cushion layer CUL in the thirddirection DR3. For example, the plate PLT may have a thickness of about150 micrometers (μm).

The fifth adhesion layer AL5 may be disposed between the display panelDP and the panel protection layer PPL. The display panel DP and thepanel protection layer PPL may be bonded to each other by the fifthadhesion layer AL5. The fifth adhesion layer AL5 may have a thicknessless than that of the display panel DP in the third direction DR3. Forexample, the fifth adhesion layer AL5 may have a thickness of about 18micrometers (μm).

The sixth adhesion layer AL6 may be disposed between the panelprotection layer PPL and the barrier layer BRL. The panel protectionlayer PPL and the barrier layer BRL may be bonded to each other by thesixth adhesion layer AL6. The sixth adhesion layer AL6 may have athickness less than that of the display panel DP and greater than thatof the fifth adhesion layer AL5 in the third direction DR3. For example,the sixth adhesion layer AL6 may have a thickness of about 25micrometers (μm).

The seventh adhesion layer AL7 may be disposed between the cushion layerCUL and the plate PLT. The cushion layer CUL and the plate PLT may bebonded to each other by the seventh adhesion layer AL7. The seventhadhesion layer AL7 may have a thickness less than that of the fifthadhesion layer AL5 in the third direction DR3. For example, the seventhadhesion layer AL7 may have a thickness of about 8 micrometers (μm).

The fifth to seventh adhesion layers AL5 to AL7 may include atransparent adhesive such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive or anoptically transparent adhesive.

The sub cover layer SCV may be disposed under the plate PLT. The subcover layer SCV may cover the openings OP defined in the plate PLT. Thesub cover layer SCV may have an elastic modulus less than that of theplate PLT. For example, the sub cover layer SCV may includethermoplastic polyurethane or rubber, but is not limited thereto.

The sub cover layer SCV may be manufactured in the form of a sheet andattached to the plate PLT. The eighth adhesion layer AL8 may be disposedbetween the sub cover layer SCV and the plate PLT, and the sub coverlayer SCV and the plate PLT may be bonded to each other by the eighthadhesion layer AL8. The sub cover layer SCV may prevent foreignsubstances from being introduced into the openings OP defined in theplate PLT.

Each of the sub cover layer SCV and the eighth adhesion layer AL8 mayhave the same thickness as the sixth adhesion layer AL6 in the thirddirection DR3. For example, each of the sub cover layer SCV and theeighth adhesion layer AL8 may have a thickness of about 8 micrometers(μm).

The support SUP may be disposed under the sub cover layer SCV. Thesupport SUP may support the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the secondnon-foldable area NFA2 of the display module DM of the display panel DPin a folded configuration (FIG. 7 ). In a non-folded configuration asillustrated in FIG. 6 , the support SUP may also support the foldablearea FA. The support SUP may include a metal. For example, the supportSUP may include a copper alloy. However, this is illustrativelydescribed, and the support SUP may include various metals (for example,invar or stainless steel).

The support SUP may include a first support SUP1 and a second supportSUP2, which are arranged in the first direction DR1. The first supportSUP1 may overlap the first non-foldable area NFA1 to support the firstnon-foldable area NFA1. The second support SUP2 may overlap the secondnon-foldable area NFA2 to support the second non-foldable area NFA2. Thefirst support SUP1 and the second support SUP2 may extend into thefoldable area FA and be spaced apart from each other on the foldablearea FA.

The first support SUP1 and the second support SUP2 may be disposedadjacent to each other within the foldable area FA with a gap region GPdisposed therebetween. The gap GP may be a space between the firstsupport SUP1 and the second support SUP2 or no gap GP may exist suchthat the first support SUP1 and SUP2 are substantially flush with eachother. The first support SUP1 and the second support SUP2 may support aportion of the plate PLT in which the openings OP are defined in thefoldable area FA. Thus, when a pressure is applied to a portion of theplate PLT, in which the openings OP are defined, from the upper side,the portion of the plate in which the openings OP are defined may beprevented from being deformed because of the support SUP. The supportSUP may prevent the shape of each of the constituents disposed on thesupport SUP from being deformed by the constituents disposed under thesupport SUP.

The support SUP may have a thickness less than that of the cushion layerCUL in the third direction DR3. For example, the support SUP may have athickness of about 80 micrometers (μm).

The ninth adhesion layer AL9 may be disposed between the support SUP andthe sub cover layer SCV. The support SUP and the sub cover layer SCV maybe bonded to each other by the ninth adhesion layer AL9. The ninthadhesion layer AL9 may be disposed in an area overlapping the firstnon-foldable area NFA1 and an area overlapping the second non-foldablearea NFA2. The ninth adhesion layer AL9 may not be disposed on a portionof the first support SUP1 overlapping the foldable area FA and a portionof the second support SUP2 overlapping the foldable area FA. The eighthadhesion layer AL8, the sub cover layer SCV, and the ninth adhesionlayer AL9 may extend over the gap region GP.

The ninth adhesion layer AL9 may be the same thickness as the eighthadhesion layer AL8 in the third direction DR3. For example, the ninthadhesion layer AL9 may have a thickness of about 8 micrometers (μm).

The heat dissipation layer RHL may be disposed under the support SUP andon either side of the gap GP. The heat dissipation layer RHL may be athermally conductive sheet having high thermal conductivity. The heatdissipation layer RHL may have a heat dissipation function. The heatdissipation layer RHL may have a thickness greater than that of the subcover layer SCV in the third direction DR3. For example, the heatdissipation layer RHL may have a thickness of about 17 micrometers (μm).

The tenth adhesion layer AL10 may be disposed between the heatdissipation layer RHL and the support SUP and may be disposed on eitherside of the gap GP. The tenth adhesion layer AL10 may be disposedbetween the first support SUP1 and the heat radiation layer RHL andbetween the second support SUP2 and the heat radiation layer RHL. Theheat dissipation layer RHL and the support SUP may be bonded to eachother by the tenth adhesion layer AL10. The tenth adhesion layer AL10may have a thickness less than that of the ninth adhesion layer AL9 inthe third direction DR3. For example, the tenth adhesion layer AL10 mayhave a thickness of about 5 micrometers (μm).

The insulation layer INL may be disposed under the heat dissipationlayer RHL. Two sides of the heat dissipation layer may be separated bythe gap GP. The insulation layer INL may have a thickness less than thatof the heat dissipation layer RHL in the third direction DR3. Forexample, the insulation layer INL may have a thickness of about 15micrometers (μm).

The eleventh adhesion layer AL11 may be disposed between the insulationlayer INL and the heat radiation layer RHL. The insulation layer INL andthe heat dissipation layer RHL may be bonded to each other by theeleventh adhesion layer AL11. The insulation layer INL may have twoportions divided by the gap GP. The eleventh adhesion layer AL11 mayhave the same thickness the tenth adhesion layer AL10. For example, theeleventh adhesion layer AL11 may have a thickness of about 5 micrometers(μm).

The eighth to eleventh adhesion layers AL8 to AL11 may include atransparent adhesive such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive or anoptically transparent adhesive.

FIG. 7 is an exemplarily cross-sectional view illustrating the displaymodule of FIG. 6 .

For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the displaypanel as viewed in the first direction DR1.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the display panel DP may include a substrate SUB,a circuit element layer DP-CL disposed on the substrate SUB, and adisplay element layer DP-OLED disposed on the circuit element layerDP-CL, a thin film encapsulation layer TFE disposed on the displayelement layer DP-OLED, and an input sensing part ISP disposed on thethin film encapsulation layer TFE. The display element layer DP-OLED maybe disposed on the display area DA.

The substrate SUB may include a display area DA and a non-display areaNDA around the display area DA. The substrate SUB may include a flexibleplastic material. For example, the substrate SUB may include polyimide(PI).

The circuit element layer DP-CL may include an insulation layer, asemiconductor pattern, a conductive pattern, and a signal line. Theinsulation layer, the semiconductor layer, and the conductive layer maybe disposed on the substrate SUB in a manner such as coating,deposition, and the like. Thereafter, the insulation layer, thesemiconductor layer, and the conductive layer may be selectivelypatterned through a plurality of photolithography processes to form thesemiconductor pattern, the conductive pattern, and the signal line.

The circuit element layer DP-CL may include transistors constituted bythe semiconductor pattern, the conductive pattern, and the signal lines.The display element layer DP-OLED may include light emitting elementsconnected to the transistors. The pixels PX may include the transistorsand the light emitting elements.

The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the circuitelement layer DP-CL to cover the display element layer DP-OLED. The thinfilm encapsulation layer TFE may include an inorganic layer, an organiclayer, and an inorganic layer, which are sequentially laminated. Each ofthe inorganic layers may include an inorganic material and protect thepixels against moisture/oxygen. The organic layer includes an organicmaterial and may protect the pixels PX against foreign materials such asdust particles.

The input sensing part ISP may include a plurality of sensors (notillustrated) configured to sense an external input. The sensors maysense the external input in a capacitive manner. The external input mayinclude various types of inputs such as a portion of the user's body,light, heat, a pen, or a pressure.

The input sensing part ISP may be directly manufactured on the thin filmencapsulation layer TFE when the display panel DP is manufactured.However, the embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto, and theinput sensing part ISP may be provided as a panel that is separated fromthe display panel DP and may be attached to the display panel DP by anadhesion layer.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an in-folded state of the display deviceof FIG. 6 .

For example, in FIG. 8 , detailed constituents of the display module DMare not illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the display device DD may be in-folded withrespect to the foldable axis FX. The foldable area FA may be bent sothat the first non-foldable area NFA1 and the second non-foldable areaNFA2 face each other. The first non-foldable area NFA1 overlapping thefirst support SUP1 and the second non-foldable area NFA2 overlapping thesecond support SUP2 may be maintained in a flat state. When the displaydevice DD is folded, the first support SUP1 and second support SUP2maintain their flat orientation. When the display device DD is folded,the plate PLT including the plurality of openings and the display moduleDM is folded about the folding axis FX into the in-folded state.

The display device DD may be changed from the flat first un-folded stateof FIG. 6 to the folded second state of FIG. 8 or changed from thefolded second state to the first un-folded state. The folding andun-folding operations may be performed repeatedly.

Because the display module DM is a flexible display module, the foldablearea FA of the display module DM may be easily bent. However, becauseeach of the first and second supports SUP1 and SUP2 has a rigid type,the first and second supports SUP1 and SUP2 may not be bent.

When the ninth adhesion layer AL9 is disposed up to the foldable areaFA, the first and second supports SUP1 and SUP2 may be attached to thesub cover layer SCV on the foldable area FA. That is, the first andsecond supports SUP1 and SUP2 may be attached to the foldable area FA ofthe display module DM through the ninth adhesion layer AL9, the eighthadhesion layer AL8, and the seventh adhesion layer AL7.

If the first and second supports SUP1 and SUP2 are attached to thefoldable area FA of the display module DM, the foldable area FA may notbe well bent due to the first and second supports SUP1 and SUP2.Therefore, the foldable operation of the display module DM may bedifficult.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ninth adhesion layer AL9 may notbe disposed on the area overlapping the foldable area FA. Accordingly,because portions of the first and second supports SUP1 and SUP2overlapping the foldable area FA are not attached to the display moduleDM, the foldable area FA may be easily bent.

The plurality of openings OP overlapping the foldable area FA may bedefined in the plate PLT. Therefore, during the folding operation, aportion of the plate PLT overlapping the foldable area FA may be easilybent in the openings OP region. When the foldable area FA is folded, theopenings may change from rectangular shapes of substantially the samewidth to trapezoidal shapes of varying widths as the space between theopenings OP expands. Openings OP of smaller widths are positioned closerto the first and second supports SUP1 and SUP2. The smaller portion ofthe trapezoid shape is closer to the display module DM.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-IF of FIG. 5 . FIG.10 is a view illustrating a folded state of the bendable area of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a folded state of a comparative displaydevice.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the data driver DDV may be disposed on thesecond area AA2. The data driver DDV may be defined as a drivingintegrated circuit (IC). The bendable area BA may be bent so that thesecond area AA2 is disposed under the first area AA1. Therefore in abent state, the data driver DDV may be disposed under the first areaAA1.

The bendable area BA may be bent to be a convex shape toward an outsideof the display panel DP. The bendable area BA may be bent to have apredetermined curvature. Because the second area AA2 is disposed underthe first area AA1, the data driver DDV that is disposed above the firstarea AA1 in FIG. 9 in an un-bent state may be disposed under the secondarea AA2 in FIG. 10 in the bent state.

The display device DD may include a protection layer BPL. The protectionlayer BPL may be disposed on the bendable area BA, a portion of thefirst area AA1 adjacent to the bendable area BA, and a portion of thesecond area AA2 adjacent to the bendable area BA. The protection layerBPL may continuously extend from a portion of the first area AA1adjacent to the bendable area BA to the bendable area BA and a portionof the second area AA2 adjacent to the bendable area BA.

The protection layer BPL may be spaced apart from the anti-reflectionlayer RPL and be disposed between the impact absorption layer ISL andthe first area AA1 of the display panel DP. The protection layer BPL maybe spaced apart from the data driver DDV on the second area AA2. Theprotection layer BPL may include an acrylic resin or a urethane resin.The protection layer BPL may be bent together with the bendable area BA.

The protection layer BPL may serve to protect the bendable area BA. Theprotection layer BPL may cover lines disposed on the bendable area BA toprotect the lines disposed on the bendable area BA. The protection layerBPL may complement stiffness of the bendable area BA, and when thebendable area BA is bent, the bendable area BA may be prevented frombeing cracked. The protection layer BPL may protect the bendable area BAagainst an external impact. The protection layer BPL may have athickness of about 80 micrometers (μm) in the third direction DR3.

The panel protection layer PPL may not be disposed on the areaoverlapping the bendable area BA. The panel protection layer PPL may bedisposed external to the bendable area BA. The panel protection layerPPL may include a first panel protection layer PPL1 disposed under thefirst area AA1 and a second panel protection layer PPL2 disposed underthe second area AA2. When the bendable area BA is bent, the second panelprotection layer PPL2 may be disposed under the first area AA1 and thefirst panel protection layer PPL1 together with the second area AA2.

Because the panel protection layer PPL is not disposed on the bendablearea BA, the bendable area BA may be more easily bent. If the panelprotection layer PPL is disposed up to the bendable area BA, thethickness of the area on which the bendable area BA is disposed may bethicker, and the bending of the bendable area BA may be difficult.

Hereinafter, the constituents of the display device DD will be describedbased on the bendable structure illustrated in FIG. 10 .

Referring to FIG. 10 , the anti-reflection layer RPL, the impactabsorption layer ISL, the window WIN, the window protection layer WP,the first coating layer CT1, and the second coating layer CT2 may bedisposed on the first area AA1. The panel protection layer PPL, thecover layer CVL, and the plate PLT may be disposed under the first areaAA1. The panel protection layer PPL, the cover layer CVL, and the platePLT may be disposed between the first area AA1 and the second area AA2when the display device DD is in a bent state.

Hereinafter, one side of each of the constituents represents one sidedisposed adjacent to the bendable area BA. In addition, descriptions of“spacing”, “overlapping”, and “disposition” on one side indicate a statewhen viewed in plan, and a distance and interval are values measured ina horizontal direction (for example, the first direction DR1).

When viewed in plan, one side of the window protection layer WP and oneside of the window WIN may not overlap the bendable area BA. One side ofthe window protection layer WP and one side of the window WIN may bespaced apart from a first boundary BP1 between the first area AA1 andthe bendable area BA. One side of the window protection layer WP may bedisposed between the first boundary BP1 and one side of the window WIN.One side of the first adhesion layer AL1 may overlap one side of thewindow protection layer WP adjacent the window WIN.

When the display device DD is folded, the window protection layer WP maybe pushed outward further than other layers by the adhesion layershaving fluidity. For example, when a comparative display device DD′illustrated in FIG. 11 is in-folded, one side EG of one surface DS ofthe comparative display device DD′ (corresponding to the display surfaceillustrated in FIG. 1 ) may protrude further to the outside of thecomparative display device DD′. The one side EG of the one surface ofthe comparative display device DD′ may indicate one side of the windowprotection layer WP.

When the window protection layer WP is disposed to extend more outwardthan the position illustrated in FIG. 10 to overlap the bendable areaBA, during the bending operation of the display device DD, the windowprotection layer WP may further protrude outward than the bendable areaBA. In this case, although not illustrated, the window protection layerWP may contact a structure such as a case disposed outside the displaymodule DM so as to be damaged.

For example, although the window protection layer WP has been described,when the window WIN also extends to the bendable area BA to overlap thebendable area BA, the window WIN may contact the case disposed outsidethe display module DM so as to be damaged.

In an embodiment of the invention, the window protection layer WP andthe window WIN may be arranged to be spaced a predetermined distancefrom the first boundary BP1 so as not to overlap the bendable area BA.Accordingly, even if the display device DD is folded, the windowprotection layer WP and the window WIN may not protrude outward from thebendable area BA. As a result, the window protection layer WP and thewindow WIN may be prevented from being damaged. The window protectionlayer WP may have a width greater than that of the window WIN in thehorizontal direction and be disposed to cover the window WIN so as tosufficiently protect the window WIN.

The impact absorption layer ISL may be disposed between the window WINand the first area AA1 of the display panel DP. The anti-reflectionlayer RPL may be disposed between the impact absorption layer ISL andthe first area AA1 of the display panel DP. One side of the impactabsorption layer ISL and one side of the anti-reflection layer RPL maybe spaced apart from the first boundary BP1.

One side of the impact absorption layer ISL may overlap with one side ofthe window WIN. However, the embodiment of the invention is not limitedthereto, and one side of the impact absorption layer ISL may be spacedapart from one side of the window WIN. One side of the anti-reflectionlayer RPL may be spaced apart a longer distance from the first boundaryBP1 than one side of the impact absorption layer ISL. The impactabsorption layer ISL may overlap the protection layer BPL.

The display device DD may include a printed layer PIT disposed on aportion of the impact absorption layer ISL adjacent to one side of theimpact absorption layer ISL. Although not illustrated, the printed layerPIT may extend along one side of the first area AA1 to overlap thenon-display area NDA. The printed layer PIT may be disposed between thesecond adhesion layer AL2 and the impact absorption layer ISL. Forexample, the printed layer PIT may include black, but is not limitedthereto, and the printed layer PIT may include various colors.

One side of the second adhesion layer AL2 may be further spaced apart ashorter distance from the first boundary BP1 than one side of the windowWIN. One side of the second adhesion layer AL2 may be disposed betweenone side of the window WIN and one side of the anti-reflection layerRPL. One side of the second adhesion layer AL2 may extend to one side ofthe protection layer BPL adjacent to the first boundary BP1, but is notlimited thereto. That is, the one side of the second adhesion layer AL2may be spaced apart from the one side of the protection layer BPLadjacent to the first boundary BP1 or extend to overlap with theprotection layer BPL.

One side of the third adhesion layer AL3 may be spaced apart a longerdistance from the first boundary BP1 than one side of theanti-reflection layer RPL. One side of the fourth adhesion layer AL4disposed between the anti-reflection layer RPL and the first area AA1may overlap with, have a same boundary of, one side of theanti-reflection layer RPL.

One side of the first panel protection layer PPL1 may be spaced apartfrom the first boundary BP1 by a gap GP7. One side of the first panelprotection layer PPL1 may be closer to the first boundary BP1 than oneside of the window protection layer WP. Accordingly, the one side of thefirst panel protection layer PPL1 may be disposed between the firstboundary BP1 and the one side of the window protection layer WP. Thefifth adhesion layer AL5 disposed between the first area AA1 and thefirst panel protection layer PPL1 may overlap with one side of the firstpanel protection layer PPL1.

A gap GP1 between one side of the third adhesion layer AL3 and one sideof the anti-reflection layer RPL may be about 0.160 mm±0.16 mm. A gapGP2 between one side of the anti-reflection layer RPL and one side ofthe protection layer BPL adjacent to the first boundary BP1 may be about0.128 mm±0.112 mm. A gap GP3 between one side of the protection layerBPL adjacent to the first boundary BP1 and one side of the first panelprotection layer PPL1 may be about 0.444 mm±0.141 mm.

A distance DT1 between one side of the window protection layer WP andone side of the window WIN may be about 0.18 mm to about 0.196 mm. Oneside of the printed layer PIT may overlap with one side of the impactabsorption layer ISL. A distance DT2 between the other side of theprinted layer PIT, which is opposite to one side of the printed layerPIT, and one side of the window protection layer WP may be about 0.986mm.

A distance DT3 between a portion of the protection layer BPL disposed onthe outermost side of the bendable area BA in the first direction DR1and one side of the window protection layer WP may be about 0.446 mm. Adistance DT4 between the other side of the printed layer PIT and theboundary of the display area DA of the display panel DP may be about 0.2mm.

The cover layer CVL may be disposed between the first panel protectionlayer PPL1 and the second area AA2 of the display panel DP so as to bespaced apart from the first boundary BP1. One side of the cover layerCVL may be further spaced apart from the first boundary BP1 than oneside of the first panel protection layer PPL1. One side of the coverlayer CVL may be disposed between one side of the window protectionlayer WP and one side of the window WIN.

The barrier layer BRL of the cover layer CVL may be disposed under thefirst panel protection layer PPL1, and the sixth adhesion layer AL6 maybe disposed between the first panel protection layer PPL1 and thebarrier layer BRL. One side of the barrier layer BRL, one side of thecushion layer CUL, one side of the sixth adhesion layer AL6, and oneside of the seventh adhesion layer AL7 may overlap with each other, butembodiments are not limited thereto and may not overlap each other.

The plate PLT may be disposed between the cover layer CVL and the secondarea AA2. The display device DD may include a spacer SPC disposedbetween the plate PLT and the second area AA2. Specifically, the platePLT may be disposed between the cover layer CVL and the spacer SPC, andthe spacer SPC may be disposed between the plate PLT and the secondpanel protection layer PPL2. One side of the plate PLT and one side ofthe spacer SPC may overlap with one side of the cover layer CVL, butembodiments are not limited thereto and may not overlap with each other.

The spacer SPC may be a double-sided tape. For example, the spacer SPCmay include a base layer such as flexible polyethylene terephthalate andan adhesive disposed on top and bottom surfaces of the base layer. Theplate PLT and the second panel protection layer PPL2 may be spaced apartfrom each other by the spacer SPC so that the bendable area BA has apredetermined curvature. The spacer SPC may have a thickness of about 47micrometers (μm) in the third direction DR3.

It is possible that the cover layer CVL, the plate PLT, and the spacerSPC may extend further outward than the first panel protection layerPPL1 so as to be adjacent to the bendable area BA. In this case, whenthe bendable area BA is bent, the bendable area BA may contact the coverlayer CVL, the plate PLT, and the spacer SPC, and thus the bendable areaBA may be damaged.

In an embodiment of the invention, because the cover layer CVL, theplate PLT, and the spacer SPC may be disposed inside a length of thefirst panel protection layer PPL1 so as not overlap the bendable areaBA. Therefore, when the bendable area BA is bent, the bendable area BAmay not contact the cover layer CVL, the plate PLT, and the spacer SPC.As a result, the bendable area BA may be prevented from being damaged.

The second panel protection layer PPL2 may be disposed between thespacer SPC and the second area AA2. The fifth adhesion layer AL5 may befurther disposed between the second panel protection layer PPL2 and thesecond area AA2.

When viewed in plan, one side of the second panel protection layer PPL2may be spaced apart from a second boundary BP2 by a gap G8 between thebendable area BA and the second area AA2. The second boundary BP2 mayoverlap with the first boundary BP1, but is not limited thereto, and thesecond boundary BP2 may not overlap the first boundary BP1.

One side of the second panel protection layer PPL2 may be spaced furtherapart from the first boundary BP1 or the second boundary BP2 than oneside of the first panel protection layer PPL1. A difference of the gapG8 and the gap G7. The cover layer CVL may be disposed between one sideof the second panel protection layer PPL2 and one side of the firstpanel protection layer PPL1.

One side of the protection layer BPL disposed under the second area AA2may be further spaced apart from the second boundary BP2 than one sideof the third adhesion layer AL3. When viewed in the second directionDR2, one side of the protection layer BPL disposed under the second areaAA2 may be disposed to the inside of the display device DD rather thanone side of the protection layer BPL disposed on the first area AA1.

A gap GP4 between one side of the cover layer CVL and one side of thefirst panel protection layer PPL1 may be about 0.15 mm±0.15 mm. A gapGP5 between one side of the plate PLT and one side of the first panelprotection layer PPL1 may be about 0.15 mm±0.15 mm. A gap GP6 betweenone side of the spacer SPC and one side of the first panel protectionlayer PPL1 may be about 0.15 mm±0.15 mm.

A gap GP7 between the first boundary BP1 and one side of the first panelprotection layer PPL1 may be about 0.0095 mm±0.125 mm. A gap GP8 betweenthe second boundary BP2 and one side of the second panel protectionlayer PPL2 may be about 0.089 mm±0.125 mm. When the value of the gap GP7is negative, the first panel protection layer PPL1 may protrude towardthe bendable area BA through the first boundary BP1. When the value ofthe gap GP8 is negative, the second panel protection layer PPL2 mayprotrude toward the bendable area BA through the second boundary BP2.

The display device DD includes a first step compensation layer DHC1, asecond step compensation layer DHC2, a first insulation tape ITP1, asecond insulation tape ITP2, a conductive layer CTL, and a printedcircuit board PCB. The first step compensation layer DHC1 may be spacedapart from one side of the protection layer BPL disposed under thesecond area AA2. The first step compensation layer DHC1 may be disposedunder the second area AA2 between the protection layer BPL and the datadriver DDV.

The second step compensation layer DHC2 may be disposed under the firststep compensation layer DHC1 to extend below the protection layer BPLadjacent to the first step compensation layer DHC1. The first and secondstep compensation layers DHC1 and DHC2 may be spaced apart from thesecond boundary BP2.

Each of the first step compensation layer DHC1 and the second stepcompensation layer DHC2 may be defined as a double-sided tape. Forexample, each of the first step compensation layer DHC1 and the secondstep compensation layer DHC2 may include a base layer such aspolyethylene terephthalate having flexibility and an adhesive disposedon top and bottom surfaces of the base layer. The adhesive may includean acrylic adhesive. However, the materials of the base layer and theadhesive are not limited thereto.

The first step compensation layer DHC1 may be attached to the lowersurface of the second area AA2 of the display panel DP. The second stepcompensation layer DHC2 may be attached to a bottom surface of the firststep compensation layer DHC1 and a bottom surface of the protectionlayer BPL.

The first step compensation layer DHC1 may have the same thickness asthe protection layer BPL in the third direction DR3. For example, thefirst step compensation layer DHC1 may have a thickness of about 80micrometers (μm).

The sum of the thickness of the first step compensation layer DHC1 andthe thickness of the second step compensation layer DHC2 may be the sameas that of the data driver DDV in the third direction DR3. For example,the data driver DDV may have a thickness of about 180 micrometers (μm),and the second step compensation layer DHC2 may have a thickness ofabout 100 micrometers (μm) in the third direction DR3. In the secondarea AA2, the stepped portion formed by the protection layer BPL and thedata driver DDV may be compensated by the first and second stepcompensation layers DHC1 and DHC2.

The first insulation tape ITP1 may be disposed under the second stepcompensation layer DHC2 to extend below the data driver DDV and theprinted circuit board PCB at a different level. The first insulationtape ITP1 may be disposed under the second area AA2 to cover the datadriver DDV. The first insulation tape ITP1 may include a base layerincluding an insulation material and having flexible and an adhesivedisposed on top and bottom surfaces of the base layer. The firstinsulation tape ITP1 may have a thickness of about 30 micrometers (μm)in the third direction DR3.

The conductive layer CTL may be disposed under the first insulation tapeITP1 and follow the contour of the first insulation tape ITP1. Theconductive layer CTL may include a conductive material. The conductivelayer CTL may be defined as an anti-static layer. The conductive layerCTL may have a thickness of about 30 micrometers (μm) in the thirddirection DR3.

The second insulation tape ITP2 may be disposed under the conductivelayer CTL and follow the contour of the conductive layer CTL. The secondinsulation tape ITP2 may include a base layer including an insulationmaterial and having flexible and an adhesive disposed on a top surfaceof the base layer. The second insulation tape ITP2 may include a coatinglayer disposed on a bottom surface of the base layer. Because theadhesive is not disposed on the bottom surface of the base layer of thesecond insulation tape ITP2, when the display device DD is accommodatedin the case, the second insulation tape ITP2 may not be attached to thecase.

The second insulation tape ITP2 may not be disposed on the first portionPT1 of the conductive layer CTL adjacent to one side of the conductivelayer CTL. One side of the conductive layer CTL may be adjacent to thesecond boundary BP2. The first portion PT1 may be exposed to theoutside. The second insulation tape ITP2 may have a thickness of about15 micrometers (μm) in the third direction DR3.

One side of the second step compensation layer DHC2 adjacent to thesecond boundary BP2, one side of the first insulation tape ITP1 adjacentto the second boundary BP2, and one side of the conductive layer CTLadjacent to the second boundary BP2 may be spaced apart from the secondboundary BP2 and overlap with each other. These layers may be spacedfrom the second boundary BP2 by a distance DT6. One side of the secondstep compensation layer DHC2, one side of the first insulation tapeITP1, and one side of the conductive layer CTL may be spaced furtherapart from the second boundary BP2 than one side of the cover layer CVL.

A gap GP9 between one side of the protection layer BPL disposed underthe second area AA2 and one side of the second panel protection layerPPL2 may be about 1.314 mm±0.141 mm. A distance DT5 between one side ofthe second step compensation layer DHC2 and one side of the second panelprotection layer PPL2 may be about 0.2 mm. The distance DT6 between oneside of the second step compensation layer DHC2 and the second boundaryBP2 may be about 0.35 mm.

The printed circuit board PCB may be spaced apart from the data driverDDV and disposed under the second area AA2. The first insulation tapeITP1, the second insulation tape IPT2, and the conductive layer CTL mayextend toward the printed circuit board PCB so as to be disposed underthe printed circuit board PCB.

The second step compensation layer DHC2, the first insulation tape ITP1,and the conductive layer CTL may be disposed up to the second boundaryBP2 (not illustrated). In this case, the second step compensation layerDHC2, the first insulation tape ITP1, and the conductive layer CTL maybe delaminated from the protection layer BPL by stress generated betweenthe bendable area BA and the second area AA2.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second step compensation layerDHC2, the first insulation tape ITP1, and the conductive layer CTL maybe spaced apart from the second boundary BP2 so as to be disposed belowthe flat second area AA2. Therefore, the second step compensation layerDHC2, the first insulation tape ITP1, and the conductive layer CTL maynot be delaminated from the protection layer BPL.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the laminated structure maybe optimized by providing the various stepped portions on the layers ofthe portion adjacent to the bendable area BA. As a result, the displaydevice DD may be prevented from being damaged when being bent andun-bent.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a rear surface of the display device DDadjacent to the bendable area.

Referring to FIG. 12 , the display device DD includes a printed circuitboard PCB, a plurality of elements ELT disposed on the printed circuitboard PCB, a timing controller T_CON disposed on the printed circuitboard PCB, and a voltage generator VGN disposed on the printed circuitboard PCB. The printed circuit board PCB may have a flexible type or arigid type.

The printed circuit board PCB may be connected to the pads PD disposedon the second area AA2. The timing controller T_CON may be connected tothe data driver DDV, the scan driver SDV, and the emission driver EDVthrough the pads PD. The voltage generator VGN may be connected to thefirst and second power lines PL1 and PL2 through the pads PD.

Although not illustrated, an input sensing controller configured tocontrol the operation of the input sensing part ISP may be furtherdisposed on the printed circuit board PCB. The elements ELT may includeelements such as resistors and capacitors.

The timing controller T-CON may generate scan control signals, datacontrol signals, and emission control signals to provide the signals tothe data driver DDV, the scan driver SDV, and the emission driver EDV,respectively. The voltage generator VGN may generate a first voltage anda second voltage to provide the voltages to the first power line PL1 andthe second power line PL2, respectively.

The second insulation tape ITP2 may be disposed to cover the data driverDDV and extend onto the printed circuit board PCB. For example, in FIG.12 , the second insulation tape ITP2 is illustrated with a gray color,and the boundary of the second insulation tape ITP2 is illustrated asdotted lines. The second insulation tape ITP2 may be disposed at oneside of the printed circuit board PCB. The second insulation tape ITP2may not overlap the elements ELT, the timing controller T_CON, and thevoltage generator VGN.

The conductive layer CTL may be disposed to overlap the secondinsulation tape ITP2. Although not illustrated, the conductive layer CTLmay be connected to a ground layer disposed in the printed circuit boardPCB. External static electricity may be applied to a first portion PT1of the conductive layer CTL, which is exposed to the outside. The staticelectricity may be discharged through the conductive layer CTL and theground layer. Accordingly, the elements in the display module DM may beprevented from being damaged by the external static electricity.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a configuration of a display deviceaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

For convenience of description, FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectionalview corresponding to the cross-section view of FIG. 10 . Hereinafter,the display device DD_1 illustrated in FIG. 13 will be mainly describedwith respect to constituents different from the display device DDillustrated in FIG. 10 .

Referring to FIG. 13 , a length of a window protection layer WP_1 and alength of a window WIN_1 in the first direction DR1 may be variouslyset, as long as the window protection layer WP_1 and the window WIN_1 donot overlap a bendable area BA. For example, when viewed on a plane, oneside of the window protection layer WP_1 may overlap with one side ofthe first panel protection layer PPL1. Also, one side of the windowWIN_1 may be disposed between one side of the window protection layerWP_1 and one side of a cover layer CVL.

Because the window protection layer WP_1 and the window WIN_1 do notoverlap the bendable area BA, even if the display device DD_1 is folded,the window protection layer WP_1 and the window WIN_1 may not protrudeoutside the bendable area BA. As a result, the window protection layerWP_1 and the window WIN_1 may be prevented from being damaged.

FIGS. 14 to 16 are views illustrating configurations of cover layers ofdisplay devices according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 14 and 16 are cross-sectional views corresponding to thecross-section view of FIG. 10 . Hereinafter, cover layers CVL_1, CVL_2,and CVL_3 of display devices DD_2, DD_3, and DD_4 illustrated in FIGS.14 to 16 will be mainly described with reference to constituentsdifferent from the cover layer CVL of the display device DD illustratedin FIG. 10 .

Referring to FIG. 14 , a length of the cover layer CVL_1 in the firstdirection DR1 may be variously set as long as the cover layers CLV_1does not overlap a bendable area BA and extend beyond the first boundaryBP1 or second boundary BP2. For example, when viewed on a plane, oneside of the cover layer CVL_1 may overlap with one side of a first panelprotection layer PPL1. Therefore, one side of a barrier layer BRL_1 andone side of a cushion layer CUL_1 may overlap with one side of a firstpanel protection layer PPL1. When viewed on a plane, one side of a platePLT_1 and one side of a spacer SPC_1 may overlap with one side of thecover layer CVL_1.

The cover layer CVL_1, the plate PLT_1, and the spacer SPC_1 may notoverlap the bendable area BA. Therefore, even if the bendable area BA isbent, the bendable area BA may not contact the cover layer CVL_1, theplate PLT_1, and the spacer SPC_1. As a result, the bendable area BA maybe prevented from being damaged.

Referring to FIG. 15 , when viewed on a plane, one side of the coverlayer CVL_2 may overlap with one side of a second panel protection layerPPL2. Therefore, one side of a barrier layer BRL_2 and one side of acushion layer CUL_2 may overlap with one side of a second panelprotection layer PPL2. When viewed on a plane, one side of a plate PLT_2and one side of a spacer SPC_2 may overlap with one side of the coverlayer CVL_2.

Because the cover layer CVL_2, the plate PLT_2, and the spacer SPC_2 donot overlap the bendable area BA and extend beyond the first boundaryBP1 or second boundary BP2, even if the bendable area BA is bent, thebendable area BA may not contact the cover layer CVL_2, the plate PLT_2,and the spacer SPC_2.

Referring to FIG. 16 , when viewed in plan, one side of a cover layerCVL_3 may be disposed between one side of a first panel protection layerPPL1 and one side of a second panel protection layer PPL2. Accordingly,one side of a barrier layer BRL_3 and one side of a cushion layer CUL_3may be disposed between one side of the first panel protection layerPPL1 and one side of the second panel protection layer PPL2. When viewedin plan, one side of a plate PLT_3 and one side of a spacer SPC_3 mayoverlap with one side of the cover layer CVL_3.

Because the cover layer CVL_3, the plate PLT_3, and the spacer SPC_3 donot overlap the bendable area BA and extend beyond the first boundaryBP1 or second boundary BP2, even if the bendable area BA is bent, thebendable area BA may not contact the cover layer CVL_3, the plate PLT_3,and the spacer SPC_3.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a configuration of a display deviceaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

For convenience of description, FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectionalview corresponding to the cross-section view of FIG. 10 . Hereinafter, adisplay device DD_4 illustrated in FIG. 17 will be mainly described withrespect to constituents different from the display device DD illustratedin FIG. 10 .

Referring to FIG. 17 , one side of a second step compensation layerDHC2_1, one side of a first insulation tape ITP1_1, and one side of aconductive layer CTL_1 in the first direction DR1 may be disposed onvarious portions if each one side is spaced a predetermined distancefrom a second boundary BP2. For example, one side of the second stepcompensation layer DHC2_1, one side of the first insulation tape ITP1_1,and one side of the conductive layer CTL_1 may overlap with one side ofa second panel protection layer PPL2.

Because the second step compensation layer DHC2_1, the first insulationtape ITP1_1, and the conductive layer CTL_1 are spaced apart from thesecond boundary BP2 and disposed under the flat second area AA2, thesecond step compensation layer DHC2_1, the first insulation tape ITP1_1,and the conductive layer CTL_1 may not be delaminated from theprotection layer BPL.

According to the principles and illustrative embodiments of theinvention, various portions may be provided on the layers of the portionadjacent to the bendable area to optimize the stacked structure. As aresult, the display device may be prevented from being damaged.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the inventive concepts.Thus, it is intended that the inventive concepts cover the modificationsand variations of this invention provided they come within the scope ofthe appended claims and their equivalents. Thus, to the maximum extentallowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determinedby the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims andtheir equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by theforegoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a display panelcomprising a first area, a second area, and a bendable area between thefirst area and the second area, wherein the bendable area is bent sothat the second area is disposed below the first area; a drivingintegrated circuit (IC) disposed below the second area; a windowdisposed on the first area; and a window protection layer disposed onthe window; wherein, one side of the window protection layer and oneside of the window are spaced apart from a first boundary between thefirst area and the bendable area in a horizontal direction, and the oneside of the window protection layer and the one side of the window arespaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.
 2. The displaydevice of claim 1, further comprising: a first panel protection layerdisposed below the first area, an impact absorption layer disposedbetween the window and the first area; and an anti-reflection layerdisposed between the impact absorption layer and the first area, whereinthe one side of the window protection layer protrudes closer to thefirst boundary than the one side of the window in the horizontaldirection, when viewed in plan, one side of the impact absorption layeroverlaps with the one side of the window, and one side of theanti-reflection layer is further spaced apart from the first boundarythan the one side of the impact absorption layer.
 3. The display deviceof claim 2, further comprising: a first coating layer applied on a topsurface of the window protection layer; and a second coating layerapplied on a bottom surface of the impact absorption layer.
 4. Thedisplay device of claim 2, further comprising: a first adhesion layerdisposed between the window protection layer and the window; a secondadhesion layer disposed between the window and the impact absorptionlayer; a third adhesion layer disposed between the impact absorptionlayer and the anti-reflection layer; and a fourth adhesion layerdisposed between the anti-reflection layer and the first area.
 5. Thedisplay device of claim 4, wherein, when viewed in plan, one side of thefirst adhesion layer overlaps with the one side of the window protectionlayer, one side of the second adhesion layer is disposed between the oneside of the window and the one side of the anti-reflection layer, oneside of the third adhesion layer is further spaced apart from the firstboundary than the one side of the anti-reflection layer, and one side ofthe fourth adhesion layer overlaps with the one side of theanti-reflection layer.
 6. The display device of claim 2, furthercomprising a protection layer spaced apart from the anti-reflectionlayer and disposed between the impact absorption layer and the firstarea and extending to the bendable area and a portion of the secondarea, which is adjacent to the bendable area.
 7. The display device ofclaim 6, further comprising: a first step compensation layer disposedbetween the protection layer and the driving IC; and a second stepcompensation layer disposed below the first step compensation layer toextend below a portion of the protection layer, which is adjacent to thefirst step compensation layer, wherein the second step compensationlayer is spaced apart from a second boundary between the bendable areaand the second area.
 8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the firststep compensation layer has the same thickness as the protection layerin a direction perpendicular to a plane of the first area.
 9. Thedisplay device of claim 7, wherein the sum of thicknesses of the firstand second step compensation layers is the same as that of the drivingIC in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the first area.
 10. Thedisplay device of claim 7, further comprising: a first insulation tapedisposed below the second step compensation layer to extend below thedriving IC; a conductive layer disposed below the first insulation tape;and a second insulation tape disposed below the conductive layer. 11.The display device of claim 10, wherein, when viewed in plan, one sideof the second step compensation layer, which is adjacent to the secondboundary, one side of the first insulation tape, which is adjacent tothe second boundary, and one side of the conductive layer, which isadjacent to the second boundary, are spaced apart from the secondboundary to overlap with each other.
 12. The display device of claim 11,wherein the second insulation tape does not overlap with a portion ofthe conductive layer, which is adjacent to the one side of theconductive layer.
 13. The display device of claim 1, wherein, one sideof the first panel protection layer protrudes closer to the firstboundary than the one side of the window protection layer in thehorizontal direction.
 14. The display device of claim 13, furthercomprising a cover layer disposed between the first panel protectionlayer and the second area and spaced apart from the bendable area. 15.The display device of claim 14, wherein, when viewed in plan, one sideof the cover layer is further spaced apart from the first boundary thanthe one side of the first panel protection layer.
 16. The display deviceof claim 14, wherein, one side of the cover layer protrudes closer tothe one side of window protection layer than the one side of the windowin the horizontal direction.
 17. The display device of claim 14, furthercomprising: a plate disposed between the cover layer and the secondarea; a spacer disposed between the plate and the second area; and asecond panel protection layer disposed between the spacer and the secondarea.
 18. The display device of claim 17, wherein, when viewed in plan,one side of the plate and one side of the spacer overlap with one sideof the cover layer.
 19. The display device of claim 17, wherein, whenviewed in plan, one side of the second panel protection layer isdisposed between the one side of the first panel protection layer andone side of the cover layer.
 20. The display device of claim 17, furthercomprising a fifth adhesion layer disposed between the first area andthe first panel protection layer, wherein the cover layer comprises: abarrier layer disposed below the first panel protection layer; a cushionlayer disposed below the barrier layer; a sixth adhesion layer disposedbetween the first panel protection layer and the barrier layer; and aseventh adhesion layer disposed between the cushion layer and the plate,wherein one side of the fifth adhesion layer overlaps with the one sideof the first panel protection layer, one side of the barrier layer, oneside of the cushion layer, one side of the sixth adhesion layer, and oneside of the seventh adhesion layer overlap with each other, and thecushion layer is disposed directly on a bottom surface of the barrierlayer.
 21. A display device comprising: a display panel comprising afirst area, a second area, and a bendable area between the first areaand the second area, wherein the bendable area is bent so that thesecond area is disposed below the first area; a driving integratedcircuit (IC) disposed below the second area; a window disposed on thefirst area; a window protection layer disposed on the window; and afirst panel protection layer disposed below the first area, wherein, oneside of the window protection layer and one side of the window arespaced apart from a first boundary between the first area and thebendable area in a horizontal direction, and one side of the first panelprotection layer protrudes closer to the first boundary than the oneside of the window protection layer in the horizontal direction.